Indesign Server

[kaiserwilhelm]

OK, I am new to the whole INDD Server concept. I have used INDD since v1 back in 2001 (?).
We are looking at using it for variable text. We setup our indd file for this and put in 35K names.
It worked beautifully, but was PAINFULLY slow. I would estimate 500 names per minute??
My question is this - Who is using this, and are you using it for variable type jobs?
I can do the 90 day free trial. Just kind of wanted to find out if it is worth my time to even download it?

 

[chevalier]

It is really just a server backend for utilization to be developed upon. This is what is making a lot of the W2P systems work.

 

[kaiserwilhelm]

Thanks for the info.

 

[Stephen Marsh]

To speed up InDesign DataMerge, I do the following:

1. Place only the variable content in a new layer above the static data on a used master page
2. Place the static boiler plate/template data on an unused master page
3. Do the merge (should be "fast") as only variable data is being placed on each new page
4. Go back to the unused master, cut the static data to the clipboard
5. On the variable master page, paste in place the data into the lower layer

It is much faster for InDesign to apply the static elements via master pages, than it is for them to be included as part of the merge process. I would not attempt to merge so many names in one go. Say 2-5K at a time, depending on your system speed and the amount of variable data involved.

Have you looked into "industrial strength" variable data solutions vs. InDesign server... I am not sure if InDesign server is the best answer?


Hope this helps,

Stephen Marsh

 

[kaiserwilhelm]

Oh, we own the Cadillac of data merge - Print Net T. We are just looking for quick solutions to INDD letters. What it takes to take an INDD file and get it "properly" into INDD is a painful affair.
I compare it to a Ferrarri. We have a Ferrarri that runs on nitrous...when we need it to. I need a 4 cylinder Mustang that I take out of the garage to go to town.
Make sense?
I will be trying your layer concept. Never thought of that.

 

[kaiserwilhelm]

Stephen - not sure I understand your example with layers....

 

[Stephen Marsh]

Stephen - not sure I understand your example with layers....

I simply use the layers to force stacking order. One could use a single layer and make sure that the stacking of the static data is sent to the back of the variable data. I just like layers!

I presume that you would have your layout on a master page, including both the variable data text placeholders and the static/template data that does not change.

Select all on the master, then shift deselect only the variable content. Cut the static/template data to clipboard. The used master page now only contains variable data.

Create a new master page. Paste in place the template/static data to this new unused master page, as a temporary placeholder for the static content. This new unused master page is never applied to the document.

Perform the data merge. You will end up with a new multi page document with only the result of the merged variable data. Go to the unused master page and cut the static/template content from this temporary master page.

Go to the used master page. Add a new layer. Drag the layer below the variable content layer. Paste in place the static/template/boiler plate content into the lower layer. This will be applied to the multiple data merged pages a lot faster than if you had included this redundant data in the merge.

Does this make sense?

Stephen Marsh